Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-24

sight. The dark blue uniforms OF the men were
well set on oy the broad white cross belts and
gSId e, epaalettss s ties The white helmets with long
light. They might well come up In front OF the
grand stand. for they proved themselves q well
in very creditable manner their only apparent
defect being slight inaccuracy In wheeling. As
eney executed the required manouvres with accu-
racy the spectators appauded them generously.
GEN. AUGUR TO THE RESCUE.
After the first two companies had drilled General
ordway, at camp, received word from member or
To committee that the companies were drilling
where they could not be seen well and he imme-
alnteiy issued an order directing that those 10
follow should execute their movements nearer the
body.
THE GRAND RAPIDS GUARDS
had drawn number four, but they withdrew from
competition on account OF the sickness OF two
men. Their place was taken by the next oryani-
zation which had drawn number i've. This was
COMPANY A, FIRST BATTALION, VIRGINIA TROOPS.
Thelr uniform was the regular militia uniform
OF the State; dark blue trousers, gray coats white
trimmings black belts, black helmets, with golden
eagle on the front. II is safe to say that company
did not take the first prize. They would have
done better II they had known before nand what
was going TO take place, so that they could have
practiced some. The captain had several bad
G. .narhs recorded against MIN, While his men were
not up TO the scratch. Some OF their movements
were executed very creditably, but they did not
always keep step, and Some or the wheels had the
appearance appear OF dogs hind les. Firing to-
gether was not q success.
THE STATE GUARD, VA, tCoLoRED>,
next came up on the double-Quck. They belonged
to the regular state militia and their uniform was
the same as that OF the preceding company Their
movements also were not characterized by that
accuracy which will entitle them to prize. The
captain, unfortunately, dropped bis sword once
and doubtless got a bad mark for il.
THE vICKsBURG soUTHRoNs,
the next company to drill, were escorted to the
grounds by their relocated band. Four mer
acted as color guard and held the company flag al
distance when the drilling commenced. The
band ceased playing as soon as they entered the
grounds, and stationed themselves near the pyro
rama lighthouse and watched the movements OF
their comrades with great interest. As the South
rOns marched toward the grand stand they received
rounds OF cheers and applause They marched as one
Their Uniform e was Hery eetTseafk Ss troa tu
SerS with wide white stripe; tight-fitting blue
coats, with white stripes across the chest, and
tails trimmed with white, and pure white shakos
with gold tassels on the front. They went tt
work In a deliberate business-lik manner. and
succeeded in making very favorable impression
Most OF their movements were made with perfec,
precision, but occasionally there was an individual
break that doubtless injured their record some.
what. On one occasion man dropped his bayo
net, which was picked up by one OF the Judges
who Immediately recorded the fact In his little
notebook.
The Southrons fired to perfection, the hammers
OF all falling together Their wheeling was not as
good as that OF the MuscatineS. When they halted
from double quick, one man was unfortunate in
dropping his musket In firing from kneeliUg
position one man dropped his cartridge. On the
whole their drilling, however was very creditable
and they divided the honorS OF the day far with
the MuScatineS. The SOuthrons were at disad-
vantage in being required to drill on slippery
grass TO which they were not accustomed.
1t was supposed that the drills were all exactly
the same, but the maneuverS did not seem exactly
alike. At any rate the movements were not all in
the same order. This gave considerable variety 10
the drills, as the spectators did not see the same
thing over and over again. As the SouthronS were
about TO leave the grounds
COMPANY A, FIRST VIRGINIA REGIMENT,
filed into the grounds. They wore white trousers
with the gray coats and gold trimmed helmets
Of the regular Virginia militia.